Verse: "O believers, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you." (4:59)
Who are "those in authority"? Some say rulers; others say scholars; the correct view includes both.
Scope of obligatory obedience:
- Obedience to authority is obligatory in what is right — "A Muslim must hear and obey in what he likes or dislikes, unless commanded to sin." (Bukhari 7144)
- "No obedience to creation in disobedience to the Creator" — mass-transmitted sound hadith.
- The verse repeats "obey" for Allah and the Messenger but not for "those in authority" — indicating their obedience is derivative, not independent.
When obedience lapses:
- An explicit command to sin.
- Open disbelief (kufr bawah) by consensus — "unless you see clear disbelief" (Bukhari).
Political fiqh: The verse establishes the Islamic governance system: obedience to rulers in good + scholarly authority in disputes + returning matters to the Quran and Sunnah.
Question: What is the scope of obedience to authority? When does it lapse?
Answer: Obligatory in what is right — evidence: "hear and obey unless commanded to sin." Lapses with explicit command to sin or open disbelief.